On 9 October in Homel the police detained Uladzimir Katsora, assistant chairperson of Homel district organization of the United Civil Party. He was taken to Chyhunachny district police department of Homel. There a report for ‘petty hooliganism’ (article 17.1 of the Criminal Code) was drawn on him. Then Katsora was taken To Chyhunachny district court. Judge Kozyrau sentenced him to 7 days of jail.

According to Mr Katsora, his arrest can be linked to two political events that are to take place in the end of the week:

‘Actually I believe this is a provocation. That’s what I wrote. By the way, it is not the first provocation. It was connected to the meeting with the ambassadors of the European Union. I think that it is the main reason. I was to arrange the meeting on Friday. And one more reason - the European March which is to be held in Minsk,’ the activist told RFE/RL.

This is the fourth arrest of an opposition activist held before essential political events. Uladzimir Katsora spent 23 days in jail before the presidential election and Day of Freedom celebrations.